I finally joined a golf club and am about to start turning in official scorecard. I am on a major slump and recently went from 12 to 17 handicap (unofficial). The way I am playing now, I am likely to turn in pretty bad scores to establish a high handicap index (> 17). I am told that works in my favor for tournaments which I am not very convinced.

As for turning in a scorecard, is there well known format that one must follow? Does someone has to attest it, date it, etc?

I finally joined a golf club and am about to start turning in official scorecard. I am on a major slump and recently went from 12 to 17 handicap (unofficial). The way I am playing now, I am likely to turn in pretty bad scores to establish a high handicap index (> 17). I am told that works in my favor for tournaments which I am not very convinced.

As for turning in a scorecard, is there well known format that one must follow? Does someone has to attest it, date it, etc?

Good for you!

Most private clubs will have specific requirements..... Most will allow you to post the scores yourself, either at the clubhouse or on-line. Some will also have you drop your scorecard into a box that will allow for periodic and random review by the handicap committee. Generally you do not have to have individual scores attested to. Tournament scores will be.

If it's a non-private club, you just post at the clubhouse or on-line. If your club uses the GHIN system, and if allowed by the club, you can post directly on-line using a smart phone and the GHIN mobile app. Very convenient and quick. I usually have my score in before I have my first post-round beer.

All scores for handicap purposes, including tournament scores, are subject to the application of Equitable Stroke Control (ESC). This mandatory procedure reduces high hole scores for handicap purposes in order to make handicaps more representative of a player's potential ability.

A handicap determined from scores to which ESC has not been applied may not be termed a Handicap Index.

We can post online, especialy away scores. But when posting a home score, we want the scorecard as well. Our handicap committee does a monthly random audit to see how people are keeping score with relation to ESC (plus, keeping tabs on suspects. This ain't the TSA, and we profile). And we want the overall data for when we re-assess our per-hole handicaps. We have done so much work on the course over the last 10 years that we probably need to update that soon. Some of the holes play significantly different.

- Is the handicap as shown in your profile current.....say at least within the last 2 15-day revisions? Current (2.5)

- Is it correct and "official", or some form of guess/estimate/self-calculation? Correct

- How are you calculating yours? Maryland State Golf Association through my old Course Membership in MD, just moved to a different Country Club in VA but haven't changed over to VA State yet (GHIN), as my course is closed for renovations and didn't see the need to pay for a handicap when I have one currently.

17.9 since establishing an official handicap through GHIN at start of October. 1st GHIN handicap index was a horrid 22.7 which was mainly due to my slump & switching to newer home course which is unforgiving. Got out of the slump (thanks to chiropractics sessions which loosened my stiff neck and upper back) and got used to the course. I've posted a few normal scores on 2nd half of October and it lowered my handicap to 17.9.

Got my GHIN# on 10/15 and my first official HI today is 24.3. High, for sure, but given this was my first summer back and my first round differential of the year was a 39.6 back in July (before I officially started posting scores for HI purposes) and I can live with it for now. Next year's goal will be to get it into the teens!

Well, first post in this great forum is the day of the revision: 10.7 index... same as I ended up last year at this time, with the difference that I've been out for 4 months due to a back iunjury and only played April, May (hdcp went up to a 14.9) and October.

Last scores were in the low 80s so the trend to single digit for next year is there and very achievable!

And nothing has changed. Still 8.4, which will remain my handicap for our winter games because this is the last revision in our district until April 1. I'm in big trouble unless I can dodge the thieves.

And nothing has changed. Still 8.4, which will remain my handicap for our winter games because this is the last revision in our district until April 1. I'm in big trouble unless I can dodge the thieves.

GHIN doesn't get updated even if you enter scores from warmer climate outside of your district? Can you explain this?